WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS ADDRESS WINTER STORM DAMAGE AT EXPO

  

Washington County Commissioners addressed winter storm repairs at the Washington County Expo at their meeting today (Tuesday).

Commissioners approved an order granting discretionary exemptions for contract purchasing under Texas government code for the annex building and event center.  Texas Local Government Code 262.024 states a contract is exempt from competitive bidding requirements if it is to purchase an item that is necessary due to unforeseen damage to public property.

When asked what preventative maintenance could have been done to prevent damages to the buildings, Expo Director Harrison Williams said steps were taken, but the rolling power outages, coupled with copper pipes in the facilities, still led to problems.

 

According to Williams, a total of three pipes burst, two in the event center and one in the office.  He said if the county were to go through a competitive bid process, the amount of damage could increase, so by taking this route the county will be able to “head off the damage significantly quicker” and lower the amount of insurance claims.

Williams noted that the order approved only addresses the “mitigation and remediation” of the water damages, such as drying out the buildings.  He said the county will go out for bids for reconstruction of the buildings.

Williams could not provide an estimated cost of repairs, as he said he is still waiting to hear back from an adjustor.

Also at today’s meeting, commissioners approved:

• An interlocal agreement providing law enforcement by the Washington County Sheriff in the City of Burton. The city will pay $15,000 for law enforcement services.  County Judge John Durrenberger said Sheriff Otto Hanak set the price amount of the agreement.  The Burton City Council passed its half of the agreement at its meeting February 9^th.
• Renewal of the basic client services agreement between the county and Personnel Services for the use of temporary employees to work the 2021 spring cleanup event at the BVR Collection Station. County residents will be able to participate in the collection days March 25-27.
• A merchant application and ACH origination agreement terms and conditions. County Treasurer Peggy Kramer said this item pertains to the recently approved Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) management platform, LODGINGRevs.
• Awarding a request for proposals for lawn services for designated areas within the county to Gene’s Services.
• Appointing David Clay and Kathy Parker to the Washington County Historical Commission.
• A 60-day extension of 67.75 excess vacation hours for Peggy Diggs with the district clerk’s office.
• A joint election agreement between the county, the City of Brenham and Brenham ISD for the May 1^st elections.